Wire or rod connector



March 23, 1943. FRANK `2,314,579

-' WIRE oR non CONNECTOR Filed July 25, 1941 i 2 Sheets-Sheet lv fron/Vey.

March 23, -1943. FRANK 2,314,579

WIRE 0R ROD CONNECTOR l Filed 311151123,` 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 z 7/0 75 70 7 f l 7 d 9 E319. E320. 'E321 J1-3.22

1N V ENTOR.

Patented Mu. z3, 1943 UNITED sTArEsR .'PATEiga" OFFICE wma on :ollmc'ron Alllllcatiil; 1,2Sse7i'l-al7;o. 403,692

My invention relates to a connector for wires, rods. cables, tubes. and the like. and the particular construction herein described and claimed is an improvement on the wire or rod connector covered by U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,187,230 issued January 16, 1940, also the wire or rod connector set forth in my application for U. S. Letters Patent led May 25, 1938, Serial No. 209,955.

'I'he principal objects of my present invention are, to generally improve upon and simplify the form of the connectors disclosed in my aforesaid patent and pending patent application, as well asother existing forms of similar rod and wire connecting devices, and further, to provide a relatively simple, practical and inexpensive connector which is constructed so as to effectively perform its clamping and connecting functions without the requirement of screws, bolts, binding posts, and the like, that include exposed and projecting binding or connecting elements.-

Further objects'of my invention are, to provide a wire or rod connector of the character referred to that may be utilized for eifectively gripping and connecting the ends of wires, rods, tubes, or the like, that occupy angular positions with respect .to each other, and to construct the connector so that they may be adjusted for use as a Y connector or as a cross connection, and which arrangement is particularly advantageous wherever a connection is made between the wires of a main current supply line and two or more branch current distributing wires.

A further object of my invention is, to provide in a connector of the character referred to simple and eiiicient means for regulating the tension of the springs associated with the wire or rod gripping jaws-and consequently regulating the degree of gripping pressure between said jaws and the engaged rods or wires.

Further objects of my invention are, to provide a wire or rod connector that is of strong, substantial structure.' capable of being readily assembled or taken apart so as to facilitate inspection and replacement or interchange of parts, and likewise capable of being easily and quickly applied to or removed from the adjacent ends of wires, rods, or the like.

With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section taken through the center of a wire or rod connector constructed in accordance with myinvention.l

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on the line 2-,2 l

of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken through the center of one of the nuts used on the ends of the connector. l

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention and utilized as a rod or wire gripping member.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken through the center of a modified form of the nut that is mounted on the end of the connector.

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'I is a sectional view taken lengthwise v through the center of a modified form of a wire or rod clamping member constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig, 9- is a perspective 'view of one cf the wire or rod engaging jaws utilized in the form `of clamp illustrated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken through the center of the form of nut that is utilized in connection withgripping jaws of the type illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig.- 11 is a detail sectional view showing a modified form of the wire or rod gripping members.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the modified forms of wire gripping members.

Fig. 13 is a detail view showing a further modified form of the wire or rod gripping means.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section taken through the center of the form of connector utilized for connecting rods or wires. that occupy angular positions with respect to each other.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a three-way connector` may be used in my improved connector.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings` and particularly the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, i0 designates the main body of the connector, which body 'comprises substanuauy tubular members u vand lz with the outer end portions of the openings through tively, the same provided intermediate their ends with tapered portions, the inclination of which corresponds with the tapered end portions I5 of the members it and i2. A

Formed through the tapered portions of the walls of members iS and il are apertures IB and loosely seated therein are small hard metal balls i@ that are adapted to engage the tapered surfaces i5 of members ii and i2. Thus as the members wand il are moved outwardly away from each other within the body members II and i2 under the influence of an 'expansive spring Zd that is interposed between the inner ends oi members iB and i1. the balls i9 bearing on the inclined surfaces i5 will be moved inward to engage and grinwires. rods, or the like, that are inserted in tubular members it and l1.- The inner ends oi the apertures ESS are slightly smaler in diameter than the outer ends thereof, thus preventing the balls i9 from passing inwardly thi-ouah said apertures.

Mounted on the outer end portions of the body members ii and i2 are nuts ZI provided with outer and walls 22 having centrally arranged openings 2d for the accommodation of the outer ends of the tubular members id and I1, and these nuts are provided with internal threads 21 which engage diametrif'aliv opposite lugs 2e formed on the ends of the members il and I2. in order to facilitate unici: adjustment of the nuts on the ends of the bodylmem'bers. the internal threads 21 are interrupted by longitudinally disposed channels 9@ for" the accommodaf-.ion nfthe lugs 2Q. The edges of the end walls 22 around the central openings therein nt loosely within grooves il that Aare formedv in the outer end portions oi members I8 and l? and the end portions of said last mentioned members beyond said grooves are flanged outwardly as designated bv 25. and which arrangement permits the nuts to rotate freely on the outer end portions of the members' i6 and I1 and to connect said nuts with said members so that the same move longitudinally together. To connect the ends oi a hair oi wires, rods. or the like. with the connector tust described. the end oortions oi said wires are inserted into the tubular members it and il', which letter have been moved inward toward each other against the resistance offered bv expansive spring 2b. such action being accomplished by screwing the nuts 2i onto the end portions of the body members il and I2, and after theA inserted portions of the wires or rods pass the balls I 9 and move the same outward the nuts are partially unscrewed from the ends of body members" and I2, which action draws the tubes I6 and I1 outwardly s'o that the balls I9 engaging the inclined surfaces I5 will be moved radially inward so as to grip and clamp the inserted wires.

The nuts 2l may be adjusted on the ends of the body members II and4 I2 so as to compensate for the tension of the spring 20 between the members I6 and I1 and such adjustment also compensates for the varying sizes or diameters of the wires or rods that are engaged and clamped by the connector.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 4 is designed to be applied to and clamp on the end of a rod or wire and in this construction a tubular member 3B has one end closed by a removable plug or cap 8|. A portion or the opening through member 30 opposite the end that is closed by the plug tapers gradually toward its outer end as designated by 32 and arranged for sliding movement in member Se is a tube 33 provided on its inner end with an extension 3d of reduced diameter. interposed between the plug 3l and the shoulder between the reduced portion 34 and the body of the tube 33 is an expansive spring 35.

Formed through the wall of the tube 33 opposite the tapered portion 32 of member 3d la a series of apertures 36 in which are located small balls 3l! of hardened metal and which directly engage and grip the inserted ends o! wires, rods, or the like, W. Y

A cap nut 38 provided with an internal thread 39 is mounted to rotate freely upon and to move longitudinally with the end of tube 33 that projects. beyond the end of tubular body 3d and the thread of this nut is adapted to engage diametrically opposite lugs 39a that are formed on the end of the body member 3B. The internal thread of nut 38 is intersected by a pair of dia-metrically opposite longitudinally disposed grooves for the accommodation of the lugs 39a, thus permitting the nutand the tube 32 carried thereby to be quickly adjusted longi tudinally before being iinally adiusted as a result of the engagement of thread 39 with lugs In this construction, the end ot a wire or rod W is inserted in tube 33, which latter has been vadjusted longitudinally within the end of tubular body 30 by manipulation of the nui; 39,

such adjustment being made to compensate for the tension of the spring 35 and for the size of the inserted wire or rod and when so inserted the rod is engaged and gripped by theballs 3l that move inwardly a's to ride down the tapered surface 32 of member 30.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated a modified construction wherein a cap di which ncorresponds to the nuts 2l and 88, is provided on its inner end with lugs d2 that engage screw threads 3, the latter being formed on the and of the body of the connector, for instance, either one of the members II and i2 or member-3B. The thread 33 is intersected by longitudinally disposed grooves tl .for the accommodation oi the lugs 52, thus enabling quick adjusment oi the cap on the threaded end of the body.

In this construction, 65 designates the end oi the tubular member that carries the wire `or rod gripping balls, the end of which member is mounted for rotation in the end wall of cap 6I and the end of said member d5 being flanged outwardly as designated by 46 so that the cap and tubular member 4-5 move longitudinally together.

The nuts 2l and 38 in addition to providing means for regulating the tension or the springs 20 and 35 and for the positioning of the tu. bular members I1 and 33 in the body members I0 and 30, may be utilized, by screwing them inwardly onto the ends of the body, for moving the tubular members I1 and 33 inwardly, thereby breaking the gripping engagement between the balls I9 and 31 and the inserted rods or wires, and which action is particularly desirable in the event that there is any tendency of the balls to stick to the engaged wires or rods after lons periods of service.

The modiiied construction illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 is designed asa clamp to be applied wardly as a result of engagement with the tato the end of a wire or rod, and said clamping member includes a substantially tubular body 41 and the opening therethrough is provided adjacent one end with a tapered portion Formed in the outer surface of the end of tube 41 beyond the tapered inner portion are diametrically opposite recesses 49. The opposite end of tubular member 41 is closed by a screw plug or cap such as 41a. Interposed between the plug 41a and shoulders Ma that are formed onl a .'pair of jaws 5i is an expansive spring 50. Each jaw I is substantially half round in cross section and formed on the inner flat face of each jaw is a longitudinally disposed groove that is provided with transversely disposed teeth or corrugations 53. I

One end of the, body of each fjaw-ll is provided with a tapered portion 48a,that is adapted to engage a correspondinglygtapered portion 4I in the opening through tubular'body 41. Ex-

, tending from the tapered end portion of the body oi.' each jaw is a channel-shaped member 52 and formed onthe end thereof is an externally arranged rearwardly projecting angle 55.

The flanges 55 on the jaws Si o 'ccupy an annular groove 54 that is formed within a nut 58, the same being provided on its inner end with inwardly projecting lugs 51 that are arranged for longitudinal sliding movement in the recesses 49 in the end of body 41. An internal flange B6 formed on nut 58 interengages the flanges 55 on the outer ends of the jaws Iii and thus as said nut is moved inwardly relative to the tubular body d1, jaws 5i will likewise be moved inwardly against the resistance oil'ered by spring 5@ and which action will disengage the teeth 53 on the jaws from the inserted wire or rod.

When the clamp is applied to a wire, rod, or the like, the latter is inserted lengthwise between the pered surface 02, thereby gripping 4the wire or rod that is positioned in tubular member I0.

In Fig. 13 I have shown a modified form of the membersvil and 33 that carry the rod gripping balls I9, such modied construction including a tubular member lla having atapered portion I1b, and formed through the wall of said tapered portion are apertures llc which receive rod gripping` balls l'ld of diil'erent diameters and which balls engage 'against the tapered surface formed on the tubular body that surrounds'the member Ila.

The modified constructions illustrated in Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are designed for connecting wires or rods that are disposed in angular relationship and also for connecting three 0r four rods .or wires and which provision is particularly advantageous where it is desired to connect a plurality of branch wires to a main electric current supply line. y

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 14, the inner ends of tubularmembers 10 and which receive the sliding members 1i that carry the rod gripping members 12 are provided with overlapping extensions 13, through the centers of which pass a pivot member 14 such as a rivet or bolt. Such construction enables either member 10 to be shifted into different ang'ular positions with respect to each other throughout an arc of approximately three hundred twenty degrees and which arrangement is especially desirable where the Wires or rods that'are to be connected occupy lines in said figure. f

' jaws and the spring 50 under tension acts to torce the jaws outwardly so that the teeth 53 In Fig. 10 I have shown the nut. used on the form of clamp illustrated in Fig. 'I as constructed with a main body portion 58 provided with the annular groove 5 and flange 56 and with a secondary part 58a that is rigidly secured by welding or otherwise in a recess in the outer face -of the body 63. Buch construction enables the nut to be readily assembled with the anges- Si on the outer ends of the jaws 5i. I n Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown a modied form of the rod gripping elements that are carrledby the tubes I1 and Il. In this construction a tube 60 which corresponds with either tube I1 or Il is provided vin its wall with an opening 04,' the outer end thereof being enlarged to form an annular groove 65, and loosely'arranged in said aperture is a substantially hemispherical rod gripping member 66 provided on its nat side with a iiange 61 that is loosely seated in groove 6B. The face of the member 86 out- In Fig. 16 I have illustrated four of the gripping members 'il connected to a common pivot 13 such as a rivet or bolt.

In Fig. 17 I havev illustrated in cross section a tubular body 19 corresponding to the bodies i2. and 30 previously described, with a nut 80 corresponding to the nuts 2i and 38 previously described located upon its end, and with a 4tubular member 8i which corresponds to the members I1 and 33 previously described, extending length- Awise through the body member 19. This construction is particularly designed for use in connecting rods and wires of large diametersx and in order to firmly grip saidfwires `or rods, three hemi-spherical gripping members 82 similar'to the members 66 previously described are loosely arranged in apertures 83 that are formed inthe member 8 i v To further increase the gripping engagement between the members 82 and the inserted rod or wire Wl the central portions of the convex faces of thel members iii are knurled as designated by 8d.

In Fig. 18 I have illustrated a tubular member 85 that corresponds with members i1 and .i3 previously described and formed in the tapered portion of said member 85- are pairs of apertures 4B disposed longitudinally of the member .85. which apertures receive hemi-spherical rod gripping members 81, which have the same diameter but of diierent lengths', the latter condition due to the fact that the thickness of the wall in which the apertures 86 are formed gradually decreases toward the outer end of member lll and l consequently the forward openings are shorter than those to the rear.

In Figs. 19 to 21 inclusive, I have illustrated a series of substantially hemi-sphericai rod gripping member 88, each provided on its. base or fiat side with a flange 89, all of the anges being of the same diameter .but the bodies being of different lengths so as to conform with the lengths of the openings in the tubular member that carries said rod gripping members. A portion of the face of each member 88 is knurled or corrugated as designated by 90 in order to increase the gripping effectvof the members on the inserted wire or rod.

In Fig. 22 I have shown a rod or wire gripping ball 9i, the entire surface of which is knurled in order to increase its gripping eiect.

inasmuch as the wire or rod gripping members such as i9, 3l, and 66 have a certain amount of radial movement relative to the axis of the connector, the latter may be used for connecting wires, rods, and the like, of different diameters,

and as illustrated in Figs. 13 and. 16 the tubular members into'which the rods or wires are inserted may carry a plurality of sets of two, three, or more wire or rod gripping members.

The various parts of my improved connector and clamp and particularly the external parts thereof may be formed of suitable insulating material or the external parts may be provided with coatings of insulation, thus eliminating the possibility of electric shocks and possible injury to the users of the connector while placing the same on current carrying wires.

My invention contemplates the connector con structed so as to utilize one, two or more of the rod gripping members as illustrated in Figs. 12 and (19 to 22 inclusive and said rod gripping members ma be substantially hemispherical in shape as illus rated in Figs. 12 and 20, substantially conical in shape as illustrated in Fig. 19, or substantially spherical as illustrated in Fig. 22. Further, the surfaces of said gripping members that engage the connected wires or rods may be smooth as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, partially knurlcd as illustrated in Figs. 19 to 21 inclusive, or fully knurled as illustrated in Fig. 22.

While I have shown the connector asbeing particularly adapted for connecting wires, rods, or the like, that are round in cross section, it will be understood that said connectors may be formed so as to connect wires or rods that are square or polygonal in cross section.

By utilizing spherical rod gripping members of diiIerent sizes or by using rod gripping members of different lengths as illustrated in Figs. 19 to 21 inclusive, the same connector comprising the tubular housing and the tubular member that is mounted for longitudinal movement within said housing may be utilized for the effective coupling of wires or rodsof different diameters.

bular member arranged for longitudinal movement within said housing, one end of which tubular member projects beyond the corresponding end of the housing, a spring for yieldingly resisting the movement of the tubular member into the housing, gripping members loosely carried by said tubular member, said housing being provided with internally arranged inclined surfaces Thus it will be seen that I have provided a wire or rodlconnector that is relatively simple in con-V struction, inexpensive of manufacture, and very effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved wire or rod connector, may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in lthe appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1.. In a wire or rod connector, a housing. a tuagainst which said gripping members engage as they move outwardly with said tubular member, a member loosely mounted upon the projecting end of said tubular member and engaging the adjacent end of the housing for moving said tubular member in both directions through said housing and means on the outer end of said tubular member for limiting the outward movement of.said loosely mounted member thereupon.

2. In a wire or rod connector, a housing, a nut screw seated on one end of 'said housing, a tubular member arranged for sliding movement in said housing and having one end extending loosely through said nut screw, means on the end of said tubular member for limiting the outward movement -of the nut thereupon, an expansive spring within said housing behind said tubular member, wire or rod gripping members loosely carried by said tubular member and there being inclined ,surfaces formed within said housing against which said gripping members engage as they move outwardly with said tubular member.

3. In a-wire or rod connector, a housing provided adjacent its ends with internally arranged inclined surfaces, tubular members arranged for sliding movement through the end portions of said housing, an expansive spring arranged between the limer ends of said tubular members, rod gripping members loosely carried by said tubular members and adapted to engage the inclined surfaces within the housing as said tubular members move outwardly, means carried by the outer ends of said tubular members and engaging the ends of the housing for moving said tubular members in both directions through said housing and means on the outer ends of said tubular members for limiting the outward movement of said tubular member moving means.

4. In a wire or rod connector, a housing provided adjacent its ends with internally arranged inclined surfaces, tubular members arranged for sliding movement through the end portions of said housing, an .expansive spring arranged between the inner ends of said tubular members, rod gripping members loosely carried by said tubular members and adapted to engage the inclined surfaces within the housing as said tubular members move outwardly, nuts loosely mounted on the projecting ends of said tubular members, which nuts have threaded engagement with the ends of said housing and stops formed on the outer ends of said tubular members for retaining the nuts thereupon.

5. In a wire or rod connector, a housing provided adjacent its ends with internally arranged inclined surfaces, tubular members arranged for sliding movement through the vend portions of said housing, an expansive spring arranged begripping members an-leo thereby longitudinally through the end portions of said housing and stops on the outer portions of said tubular members for limiting the outward movement ot the housings, means pivotally connecting said housings whereby the same may be swung into diierent angular positions, means arranged for longitudinal movement in each housing for clamping an inserted lrod or wire, means carried by the outer end of each lamping'means and cooperating with the,adiacent housing for lmoving said clamping means longitudinally with respect to said housing and stops formed on the outer portions o! said clamping means for engaging and limiting the outward movement of said clamping means moving means.

7. In a wire or rod connector,a housing provided with an internally arranged tapered surface, a tubular member arranged for sliding movement within said housing, the wall of which tubular member is provided with a tapered portion, there being apertures formed in the tapered portion of said tubular member and substantially hemi-spherical rod gripping members loosely arranged within said apertures and adapted to engage the tapered surface within said housing as said tubular member moves outwardly V`with respect to said housing.

8. A wire` or rod connector as set i'orth in claim 'lv and flanges on the ilat end portions of said rod gripping members.

v 9.. A wire or rod connector as set forth in claim '1 and which rod gripping members diner in lengths and have substantially the same diameters. y

10. A wire or rod connector as set forth in v claim 7 and ,the convex surfaces of said rod gripping members being knurled.

. LOUIS FRANK.. 

